Electrical switch



Jan. 20, 1931. F. H. PRESCOTT ELECTRICAL swrrcn Filed June 28, 1928 Patented Jan. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK H. PRESGOTLOF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO DE LCO-BEKY CORPORA- TION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRICAL SWITCH This invention relates generally to lock switches and particularly to lock switches for the, ignition clrcuit of an automobile. V

One of the objects of the invention is to 6 provide a simple and efiicient switch of this character which will maintain the highest degree of efficiency for a long and infinite period.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an ignition switch which is simple in design, relatively inexpensive to manufacture yet extremely efiicientin operation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top view of an ignition coil unit partly in section and involving the presentinvention, a section being taken on line 11 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to the sectional view of Fig. 1 and showing the switch in unlocked and closed positions, with the controller member just engaging the movable contact member.

Fig. 3 is a. view similar to Fig.2 showing 30 the switch locked in open position,

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 44. of Fig. 2.

'Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 1 I

Fig.6 is a sectional view'on the line 66-of Fig. 1. I

Referring to the drawings, 20 designates a cylindrical metallic container or can providing a housing for an ignition coil unit including a primary winding 21, a secondary winding 22, a core 23, and associated switch and control members for the ignition circuit which will be described in detail hereinafter. The ends of the primary coil 21 are connected 45 with coil terminals 24 and 25 which are supported by a non-conducting end cover 26 which also provides a secondary terminal 27. One end of the core 23 is supported by a nonconducting end cover 28 retained within an 0 extension of the casing 20 by an annular 1928. Serial No. 288,971.

flange 29a of the support 28, cooperating with and disposed between the inwardly directed ridges 20a of the casing 20. This non-conducting end cover 28 provides a support for the switch contacts 29. and 30, which will now be described. '1

The improved switch mechanism comprises the contact 29 which is a movable contact of flexible or spring like material and is rigidly fixed at one end to the non-conducting end cover 28 by means of a tubular rivet'31 to which is attached one terminal 32 of the secondary coil. In the form illustrated this movable contact is embodied in a bowed spring member or arcuate strip of resilient metal bridging the terminals of the secondary coil. The contact is securely fixed to the support 28 by means of rivets 33 and is of Z-shaped formation such that one leg thereof 30a overlies the free end of the movable contact or bridge. This contact member 30 is connected to the opposite side of the secondary coil 22 by means of a conductor 34 which completes the electrical circuit through the secondary coil of the ignition unit. The supporting member 28 is provided with a bore or recess 35 to receive a spring 36 which engages a cup portion 37 on the free end of the contact 29. This spring 36tends-to force the free end of the contact 29 into engagement with the contact 30 and opposes separation of these contacts with such force as to cause a relative scraping or sliding movement between their contacting surfaces when the movable contactis operated either to open or to close the electrical circuit therethroughas will be explained hereinaften,

The tubular housing 20 is extended beyond the switch terminal assembly just described to embrace a frame member and switch control, and to provide a housing for the switch mechanism as a whole. The edge 38 of the casing 20 is spun over to engage an annular recess 39 in a frame member 40, which is provided with a controller 41 having an insulator member 42 positioned opposite the contact member 29 which, when operated, will engage thecontact member 29 and move it away from the overhanging leg 30a of the contact 30 and open the circuit through the secondary Iii! coil. Opening of this circuit by means of the control member 411 is resisted by return springs 49 seated on the non-conducting end cover or support 28 and the insulator 42 re spectively. The usual locking means are provided in the control member 41 and consists of a key cylinder 43' having a pin 14- which engages the locking bolt 45 and is operable to condition the controller in locked or unlocked position by eans ot the proper key 46,. The controller 41 is retained within the frame l0, yet is capable of reciprocable movement, by means of a screw pin 47 driven through a cy-. lindrical extruded portion 40a of the frame 40 which engages aslot 48- in the member 41.

Thus the ignition coil and switch controlling mechanism are contained'within a single unit and are mounted upon the instrument board or other convenient mounting 50 of the vehicle as by means of the screws 51. By this structure described, a simple ignition switch is provided which is easily operated and when operated either to close or to open the ignition circuit, will tend to brighten the contacting portions of the switch since manipulation of the control member 41 from the circuit closed position, as shown in Fig. 1, through the partially opened position of Fig. 2 to the locked open position of Fig. 3, will first engage the movable contact member 29 at its bowed or bent port-ion at the middle thereof tending to straighten it somewhat before a separation of the contacts takes place, as illustrated in Fig.2, then moving it to. the circuit open position of Fig. 3.

Likewise, during the closing operation, re.- leasing the control member 41 from its position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the springs l9 will return the member 41 to the circuit closed position of Fig. 1, and simultaneously with this the spring 36 will assist in forcing the contact member 29 to the position of F 2, and fromt'here on the resilience of the bridging contact 29 will operate to cause the contact 29 to take up the position in Fig. 1, and in so doing the contacting surfaces of the members 29 and 30 are scraped or rubbed over oneanother similar to the circuit opening operation. In this manner the contact surfaces of the switch are always kept bright and clean by the operationsof opening and closing the circuit. i I

This is brought about by means ofthe spring 36 betweenthe support 28 and the free end of the contact 29 being suiiiciently strong to resist movement of the contact 29 from the contact30 until. the contact 29 has been somewhat straightened from its bowed position when the switch is being opened, and by insuring the closing of the contacts 29 and SO'prior' to the full release of the operating force when the switch is being closed, thus. causing a rubbing or'scraping action between the fixed contact 30' and the movab e p a tw r a -t Qu uing, and. 10

ing of the switch contacts. This scraping or rubbing of the contacts when the circuit is open and closed will tend to keep the contacted surfaces clean and offer little resistance to the passage of current therethrough. In this manner I have provided an ignition switch simple in design and efiicient in its operation.

lVhile the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, itisto be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

that is claimed is as follows:

1. An electric switch comprising in combination a support; terminal means on said support; spring bow bridging means c011- necting said terminals; control means for said'bridging means; means biasing said control means to establish separable engagement between one of said terminals and said bridging member; and means for scraping the bridging means over the said terminal when actuated. V a

2. An electrical switch comprising in com bination a support; contact means on said support; resilient bridging means to connect said contacts; means normally urging said bridging means to engage one of said contacts ;control means for said bridging means; means for resisting movement of the control means; and means for scraping the bridging means over one of the terminals when ac tuated.

3. An electrical switch comprising in combination a support of non-conducting material; terminals fixed to said support; bridging means fixed to one ofsaid terminals, and normally engaging another; means resisting separation of said contact, and bridging means; control means to operate the bridging means; said resisting means causing the bridging means to scrape over the terminal upon operation of the contact means.

a. An electrical switch comprising in COIII'. bination a support of non-conducting material; movable and fixed contacts on said support; a controller for moving one of the contacts; means engaging the'movable contact and the support to urge the contacts in circuit closing position; and means includlng said engagingmeans for causing the contact means to scrape over one another upon operation of the controller.

5. An electrical switch comprising in combination a support of non-conducting material; movable and fixed contacts on said sup port; said. movable contact comprising a bowed spring fixed at one end and having a free end normally engaging the fixed contact; means engaging the movable contact andjthe support tourge the contacts in circuit closing position; and means including said engaging means causing the contact means to scrape over one another upon operation or". the controller.

6. An electrical switch comprising in combination a frame; a controller in said frame; a non-conducting support connected to said frame, and provided with terminals; and re silient bridging means attached to one of sa ill terminals, and adapted when operated by the controller to make sliding or scraping contact with another of'said terminals.

7. An electrical switch comprising in combination a frame; a controller in said frame; a non-conducting support connected to said frame, and provided with terminals; resilient bridging means attached to one of the terminals, and normally engaging another of said terminals; means carried by the support for I engaging the bridging means,and means for causing it to scrape over the second mentioned terminal when the bridging means is operated by the controller.

8. An electrical switch comprising in combination a support of nonconducting material having movable and stationary contacts on said support; means engaging the support and one of the contacts to urge the contacts in circuit closing position; a frame connected to the sup ort; control means for said contacts provid d by said, frame; one of said contacts when actuated sliding over the other to keep the contact surfaces clean.

9. An electrical switch comprising in combination a support; contact means on said support; resilient bridging means to connect said contacts; means normally urging said bridging means to engage one-of said contacts; control means for said bridging means; means for resisting movement of the control means and for causing the bridging means to scrape over one of the terminals when actuated.

10. An electric switch comprising in combination a support; terminal means on said support; bridging means connecting said terminals; means normally urging said bridging means to engage one of said contacts; control means for said bridging means; means for resisting movement of the control means and for causin the bridging means to scrape over one -o the terminals when actuated.

11. An electrical switch comprising in combination a support of non-conducting material; terminals fixed to said support; bridging means fixed to one of said terminals, and normally engaging another; means resisting separation of said contact, and bridging means; said resisting means causing the bridging means to scrape over the terminal upon operation of the contactmeans.

12. An electrical switch comprising in combination a frame; a controller in said frame; a non-conducting support connected to said frame, and provided with terminals; and resilient bridging means attached to one of said terminals, said controller being operable to flex said bridging means into and out of electrical contact with another of said terminals to make sliding or scraping contact with another of said terminals.

13. An electrical switch comprising in combination a frame; a controller in said frame; a non-conducting support connected to said frame, and provided with terminals; and resilient bridging means attached to one of said terminals, and disposed for operable engagement by said controller; means Iesisting movement ofv said controller against said bridging means; and means including said bridging means causing the contact engagement to be made and broken coincident with a wiping action between the contact elements.

14. An electrical switch comprising in combination a frame; a controller in said frame; a non-conducting support connected to said frame, and provided with terminals; and resilient bridging means attached to one of said terminals, and disposed for operable engagement by said controller; means resisting movement of said controller against said bridging means; and means including said bridging means and said resisting means causing the contact engagement to be made and broken coincident with a wiping action between the contact elements.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

FRANK H. PRESCOTT. 

